Spring-testing machine



' June l 1926.

J. W. RIDGWAY SPRING TESTING MACHINE June 1 1926.-

J. w.v RIDGWAY SPRING TESTING MACHINE Fil'ed Jan. 10, 1924 2 'Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT FFCE,

JOSEPH TV. RIDGVJAY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MQTORS COB.-

PORATION, OF DETEOT, MICHZEGAN, A CORPORATION OF IHLAARE.

SPRNG-TESTING MACHINE,

Application filed January 10, 1924. Serial No. 685,386.

My invention relates lto a machine or device designed for use in testing motor driven vehicles and parts thereo't, and more especially to a vibrating machine or device designed for and capable of use in testing springs for automobiles and like vehicles, for testing the chassis of the vehicle as an assembled structure, and for performing various other tests which require the subjecting of the part or device tested to a vibratory motion similar to the movement partaken of by the parts when they are in actual use. vWhen my improved machine is in use in the manner hereinafter eX- plained it acts to -flex the spring being tested, or to move the trame ot the vehicle or a portion thereot up and down in a manner similar to the way in which it moves when in actual use; during which testing operation various other parts of the chassis such as the main frame, the spring supporting brackets, the brake rods, the torque tube, the tires and various other elements of the assembled structure are caused to partake ot movements similar to those which occur when the vehicle is in use.

The principal object of my invention is therefore to provide an improved testing or vibrating machine of the type and for the purpose above referred to which will be simple in construction and effective for the purpose tor which it is designed, and which may be readily and cheaply constructed for the most part from standard forms and shapes ot structural steel material.

With the above and other objects ot invention in view my invention consists in the improved testing or vibrating machine or device illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described and explained in detail: and. in such variations and modifications thereof, within the scope ot the concluding claims, as will `be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates.

In the two sheets of drawings accompanying and forming a part ofthis specilication` and wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated.:

Figure l is a view showing my improved vibrating machine in end elevation for the most part: certain portions, however, being broken a yav to show features otherwise hidden, and the machine being shown as arranged for testing a quarter elliptic spring.

lFigure 2 is a similar view showing the machine in side elevation from a position 90 degrees from the position assumed in Figure l, the machine being set up and arranged t'or testing a motor vehicle chassis as an assembled structure. n f

Figure 3 is a Jfragmentaryv sectional view taken upon a vertical plane indicated by the line 3 3, Figure 2, looking toward the left.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing a detail, the view being lupon a horizontal plane indicated by the line 4 4, Figure 2, looking down.

Figure 5 is a view showing the operating motor and its relation tothe other parts of the machine, the view beingfor the most part upon a horizontalk plane indicated, approximately, by the line 5 5, Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the several views, the operating parts of my improved vibrating ma-y chine are supported from a suitable pedestal, column or .trame made up of two parallel channel iron bars 6 6 spaced apart from one another and the web portions ot which are ot comparatively great width, and the side lianges of which are ot comparatively slight extent, to thereby provide a pedestal or main frame structure having great strength for the amount of material therein, because ot the large area enclosed by the peripheral wall thereof, as will be appreciated, riheee side bars oi? the pedestal or mainv supporting frame are connected together at their lower ends by short lengths of angle iron 7 7 which are secured to the side flanges of the trame members by rivets 8 or otherwise, and through which the machine may be tasten-ed to the licor.

Secured to and supported Jfrom the `upper ends of the frame bars 6 6 are two ,oppositely arranged brackets or supports 9 9 identical or substantially so in form with one another; said parts being ordinarily in the form of'steel castings and the samebeing secured to the main trame bars by bolts l0, as many such bolts being provided as may be deemed necessary. These bolts, as will be appreciated, are spaced along the side edges of base portions 91 of the brackets and extend through the inwardly eX- of the drawings. Then thc machine is set up for use the rings 3ft and head '55 are usually more securely fastened in place, and a. more rigid plunger structure as a whole is provided, by the use of a binding` screw or bolt 39 which extends up through a longitudinal passage in the head and in the cylindrical neck and engages a threaded opening in a cross bar t0 inside the plillnger. Vhen my improved vibrating machine ,is used for testing a spring in substantially the manner indicated in Figure l a trans versely extending spring supporting table atl made from angle iron is fastened to the side flanges of the frame bars 6 6 by suitable bolts 4t2, and the spring to be tested is in turn supported by said table. As a matter of course the way in which each particular spring is supported from the table will be governed, to a considerable ext-ent, by the form of the spring to be tested 5 the quartcr elliptic spring illustrated as supported by the table and being tested being lixedly supported at one end from a bracket 42, said fixed end being fastened to the bracket by a bolt 43 which may be of any form and which acts as a spring shackle; the bracket l2 and bolt or shackle forming in effect a structure similar to the bracket wherein the fixed end of a spring of like form is supported when the spring is in use in a motor vehicle chassis construction. The table il is shown as vertically adjustable by the provision of series of holes in the side flanges ll of the frame members 6 through which the bolts l2 extend, and said table is ordinarily made long enoughso that half elliptic and other type springs may be supported by it; and as a matter of fact various particular' forms of table, and of bracket for supporting various forms of springs to be tested, will ordinarily be provided for use with each particular machine.

The free end of the spring 5 is connected with the lower end of the reciprocatory plunger in any suitable way as by 'the use of a swinging, shackle 44; the lower end of which is pivotally connected with the eye of the spring beingtested, as at 45, and the upper end of which is pivotally supported in a stirrup i6 the base of which is shown as fastened to the lower end of the plunger by means of the bolt 39 which holds the head 35 and rings 34 assembled with t-he plunger, to thereby clamp the stirrup tothe lower end of the plunger and the head and spacing rings together as a single rigid structure.

lVhen my improved testing machine is used for vibrating a motor vehicle chassis structure assembled and complete as such the table 41 is omitted, and the chassis is backed up to the machine in substantially the manner illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. As a matter of course the particular method whereby motion of the reciprocating plunger 13 made use of is communicated to thechassis may be varied in diiferent cases, but in the scheme and arrangement illustrated the lower end of the plunger' in question engages with a transverse bar li-7 resting upon the top of the frame bars a of the chassis adjacent the rear end thereof. Under such conditions, and when the machine is in operation, vibratory motion will be communicated to the frame; and from the frame through the spring supporting shackles 8 and the springs 2 of the rear axle l of the chassis, lVhen the parts are properly arranged and the machine is in operation the frame members will be subjected to movements of the same character as those niet with in a motor vehicle when the saine is in use, the springs 2 will be flexed in substantially the same manner as when the vehicle is running upon a road, and the spring supporting brackets 3 will likewise be subjected to substantially the saine character of stresses as those met with-in the actual operation of the vehicle.

The same remarks apply to a considerable degree with reference to the wheels and tires D of the vehicle as obviously the floor or support upon which they rest forms an abutment whereby the force communicated to the chassis from the plunger is absorbed in substantially the same way as by the roadway along` which it is ruiming in the case of a vehicle in actual use. The brake and other parts of the chassis will during a testing operation partake of substantially the same motions as occur in a finished vehicle'when in use; so that in addition to providing a machine whereby various parts of .the chassis may be subjected to substantially the same forces as those met with in actual practice to test their endurance, the machine provides a means whereby the motions occurring in various other parts of the structure notv perhaps subjected to the strains to which they are subjected in actual use, may nevertheless be studied and analyzed.

The crank 18 above referred to is for the purpose of turning the machine over by hand in setting it up for testing purposes. inasmuch as the crank is applied to the rot-ating part ofthe machine having the highest rate of speed it is obvious that sufficient force may be applied through the crank to reciprocate the plungers and to subject the spring or other part being tested to the same force as that to which it will be subjected when the machine is in operation, although at a matter of course much more slowly. In setting up the machine it is also important to determine in advance the extent of movement communicated to the member or part being tested, aswell also as the limits of movement; such movement and limits being ldetermined by the adjustment of the stroke ofthe plungers 13 which is dependent upon the position of the crank pins 3l in the slots 30, by the position of the table 41; and by the arrangement of the parts to be tested relative to the machine; all of which matters, as well also as the question of proper clearance between moving parts when the machine is in operation; are commonly determined by turning the machine over slowly by hand, with the parts to be tested in place, during the setting up of the machine and before starting an actual test.

I-Iaving thus described and explained my invention I claim and desire to secure by I .ettcrs Patent ot' the United States:-

l. In a testing machine of the class described, a main supporting trame made up of two vertically arranged side members spaced apart from one another; two supporting brackets arranged adjacent and extending above the upper ends of said side members; and each of which has a base portion fastened to both said side mem bers to thereby :torni connections between the upper ends of said members; a hollow gear housing havingoppositely arranged tubular portions in line with one another; termed in the upper ends o'tl said brackets and adapted to receive the ends ot' the tubular portions of said gear housing; means for holding said tubular portions in place within said seats; a worm shaft supported in bearings carried by said gear housing, and having a centrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shaft supported in bearings also carried by said gear easing, and which shalt extends at right angles to said worm shaft; a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes; vertically arranged guides carried one by each ot the brackets aforesaid; reciprocating plungers operating in said guides, and with which said plunger' operating shatt is operatively connected; and a motor supported between the upper ends of said side members, and which motor is operatively connected with said worm shaft.

2. In a testing machine of the class described, a main supporting trame made up ot two vertically arranged side members spaced apart trom one another; two supe porting;- brackets arranged adjacent and extending above the upper ends ot said side members, and each of which has a base portion fastened to both said side members to thereby torni connections between the upper ends ot said members; a hollow gear housing supported by and arranged between the upper ends of said brackets; a worm shaft supported in bearings carried by said gear housing, and having a eentrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shaft supported in bearings also carried by said gear casing, and which shaft extends at right angles to said worm shaft: a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes; vertically arranged guides carried one by each et' thel brackets aforesaid; reciprocating plungers operating in said guides, and with which said plunger operatine` shatt is operatively connected; and a motor supported between the upper ends of said side members, and which motor is operatively connected with said worm shaft.

3. In a testing ,'iachine ot the class described, a vertically arranged supporting trame; two supporting brackets carried by and extending above the upper end oi said frame; a hollow Igear housing supported by and arranged between the upper ends of said brackets; a worm shat't supported in bearings carried by said gear housingg and having a centrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shatt supported in bearings also carried by said gear casing; a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes; vertically arranged guides carried one by each et the brackets aforesaid; reciprocating I )lungers operating in said guides, and with which said plunger operating shatt. is opemtivel \y connected; and a motor supported by said frame and operatively connected with said worm shaft to drive the same.

t. In a testing machine ot' the class dcscribed, a main supportingtraine made up of two vertically arranged side members spaced apart from one another; two supporting brackets arranged adjacent. and eJ-ztending above the upper ends otl said side members, and each ot which has a base portion fastened to both said side members to thereby torni connections between the upper ends oit said members; a hollow gear housing supported by and arranged between the upper ends oi said brackets; a worm shaft supported in bearings carried by said gear housing, and having a centrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shaft supported in bearings also carried by said gear casing; a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes: vertically arranged guides carried one by each of the brackets atoresaid; reciprocating plungers operating in said guides, and with which said plunger' operating shatt is operatively connected' and a motor operatively connected with said worm shaft to drive the same.

5. In a testing machine ot the class described, a main supporting` trame; a hollow gear housing supported from and located above the upper end ot' said trame7 and which housing is provided with two oppositely located tubular portions arranged in line with one another, said housing being supported 'from said trame vthrough said tubular portions; a worm shaft supported in bearings carried by said gear housing, and having a centrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shaft supported in bearings also carried by said gear casing, and which shaft extends transverse to said worm shaft; a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes; vertically arranged guides supported from said frame; reciprocating plungers guided in their movement by said guides, and with which said plunger operating shaft is operatively connected; and a motor supported by said frame operatively connected with said worm shaft to drive the same.

6. In a testing` machine of the class described, a main supporting frame, a hollow gear housing supported from and located above the upper end of said frame; and which housingis provided with two oppositely located tubular portions arranged in line with one another, said housing being supported from said frame through said tubular portions; a worm shaft supported in bearings carried by said gear housing; and having a centrally arranged worm; a plunger operating shaft supported in bearings also carried by said gear casing, and which shaft. is located below and extends transverse to said worm shaft; a centrally arranged worm gear carried by said plunger operating shaft, and with which said worm meshes; vertically arranged guides supported from said frame; reciprocating plungers guided in their movement by said guides, and with which said plunger operating shaft is operatively connected; and a motor supported by said frame and located below said gear housing, and which motor is operatively connected with said worm shaft to drive the same.

7. In a testing machine of the class described; a vertically arranged supporting frame; a rotatable plunger operating shaft supported by said frame and located adjacent the upper end thereof; means carried by said frame for driving said shaft; a hollow cylindrical guide supported by said frame and arranged below said shaft; a reciprocating plunger operated by said shaft and litting within and guided in its movement by said guide; a series of annular spacing members; and means for securing said spacing members to the lower end of said plunger.

8. In a testing machine of the class dcscribed, a vertically arranged supporting frame; a rotatable plunger operating shaft nment by said guide; a series of annular spacing members; a head having a tubular shank adapted to extend through said spacing members and along a passage provided in the lower end of said plunger; and a bolt extending through said shank and the upper end of which is in threaded engagement with said plunger.

9. In a testing machine of the class described; a vertically arranged supporting frame; a rotatable plunger operating shaft supported by said frame and located adjacent the upper end thereof; means carried by said frame for driving said shaft; a hollow cylindrical guide supported by said frame and arranged below said shaft; a reciprocating plunger operated by said shaft and fitting Within and guided in its movement by said guide; means for varying the length of istroke of said plunger; a series of annular spacing members; means for detachably securing said members to the lower end of said plunger; and a table secured to said frame below the lower end of said plunger.

l0. In a testing machine of the class described; a vertically arranged supporting frame; a rotatable plunger operating shaft supported by said frame and operatively connected with a vertically movable reciprocating plunger to operate the same; and an electric motorl operatively connected with said shaft; and the shaft of which motor is so formed as to receivev a crank for operating the machine manually.

1l. In a testing machine of the class described, a vertically arranged support-ing frame; a rotatable plunger operating shaft supported by said frame and operatively connected with a vertically movable reciprocating plunger; a Worm shaft also supported by said frame; a worm upon said worm shaft meshing with a worm gear upon said lirst mentioned shaft to drive the same; and an electric motor carried by said frame and operatively connected with said worm shaft to drive the same, said motor having a shaft so formed as to be engaged by a crank to thereby provide for the manual operation of the machine.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

JOSEPH W. RIDGWAY. 

